What is Florida Main Street?
The Florida Main Street Program has helped revitalize the downtown are as of many Florida towns.
It is a technical assistance program administered by the Bureau of
Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources and Florida Department of State.
As shopping malls and other big box retailers moved out to the suburbs, many Florida downtown neighborhoods languished and then collapsed. In the 1980s, the Main Street Program was develope by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
What We Do
In the past, the word ìdowntownî brought to mind an image of a bustling center of commerce and activity. Too often today, the images are of vacant, deteriorating buildings. Now communities have discovered that with the help from Florida Main Street, Downtown can thrive again.
Why Main Street Matters?
Builds a positive image for the community
Creates job opportunities
Saves tax dollars
Preserves the communityís historic resources
Helps to control sprawl
Florida Main Street is incremental. Using the Main Street Four Point Approach, community leaders work together to bring about many small but positive improvements downtown. Together, these improvements revitalize the downtown.
Organization. Working with public and private sector community leaders to develop consensus and coordinate resources to revitalize downtown.
Promotion. Creating and marketing a positive image of downtown through special events, retail sales, effective advertising, and public relations.
Design Encouraging quality building rehabilitation, sign-age, public improvements, and window displays to improve the appearance of downtown.
Economic Vitality. Improving the economic base of downtown by strengthening existing businesses, recruiting new businesses, and filling second floor vacancies.
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